Dr. Voelker’s clinical experience includes serving as a family physician with Aspirus Doctors Clinic since 1987, during which time he has had active status on the Aspirus Riverview Hospital Medical Staff.

Dr. Voelker earned his medical degree from the University of Minnesota School of Medicine in Minneapolis and completed his residency in family medicine at Riverside Medical Center in Minneapolis. He is a Diplomate of the American Academy of Family Medicine.

“Hot Stove” Rendezvous set for Jan. 7

The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters have partnered with the Hotel Mead & Conference Center to hold the third annual “Hot Stove” Rendezvous on Jan. 7.

The event will feature former Rafter and current New York Mets pitching prospect Beck Wheeler along with the unveiling of a redesigned Rafters logo and home uniform.

Doors to the banquet will open at 6 p.m. for social hour with the hot stove baseball talk beginning at 7 p.m. In addition to the unveiling of the newly designed logo, other topics to be covered by Rafters front office personnel will include a question and answer session with field manager Craig Noto, coaching staff updates, incoming players, and proposed ballpark and menu improvements for the 2016 season. Coaches from area baseball programs will also be on hand to speak about their upcoming seasons. Following the banquet, all special guests will be available to greet fans and sign autographs.

Tickets are available to all fans in advance for $10 and $15 at the door. All kids 12 and under are free to attend. Tickets include access to the program, a buffet-style dinner, along with complimentary punch and water. A cash bar will also be provided by Hotel Mead. A raffle will also take place at the event for items including a 20-person Rat Trap Party, signed memorabilia, Home Plate Club table for one night, and more. All money raised at this event will be put into ballpark improvements at Witter Field for the 2016 season.

Tickets can be purchased by calling the Rafters office at 715-424-5400 or by stopping into the Rafthouse Team Shop at Witter Field. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Alexander Field project approved

Gov. Scott Walker recently announced $317,994 in funding to update the airport layout plan and complete design work for planned runway reconstruction at Alexander Field – South Wood County Airport in Wisconsin Rapids.

Matt Messina, airport development engineer with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, said updating the airport layout plan is necessary to meet federal standards and for the airport to access federal airport improvement funds. The project will also design reconstruction of the airport’s 3,600-foot crosswind runway that is in deteriorating condition. The work will be completed by July 2017.

Alexander Field – South Wood County Airport is one of 98 facilities included in the Wisconsin State Airport System Plan, which makes it eligible for state and federal funding. Airport improvement projects are administered through WisDOT’s Bureau of Aeronautics.